Newark, [Monday 17 February 2025]
Green Party councillor vows to fight for Newark’s future
Hard-working Green councillor Matthew Spoors has officially announced his candidacy for the Nottinghamshire County Council elections on Thursday 1st May, standing as the strongest challenger to Conservative dominance in Newark East.
Matthew, a dedicated councillor, has worked year-round to drive change for Newark residents. He secured over £1.3 million in funding for local businesses and led initiatives supporting small enterprises and sustainability. He advocates for green space protection, scrutinises environmental policies, and ensures accessibility in planning. Understanding the pressures of the cost of living crisis, Matt fights for fairer policies that prioritise people over profit.
Since joining the Green Party in September 2024, Matthew has strengthened efforts to protect Newark’s environment, public services and community spaces. A strong opponent of harmful developments, he has fought to ensure new projects respect the town’s heritage and needs. He has worked with Councillor Emma Oldham to try to prevent development on the ecologically sensitive Lowfield Lane site and has pushed for transparency in the sale of public assets.
The last election showed the Green Party as the real alternative to Conservative rule in Newark East, with the Greens securing the second-highest votes while Labour placed third. Since then, Councillor Emma Oldham has demonstrated the power of Green representation in Coddington, improving green spaces, advocating for safer footpaths, supporting flood-impacted residents, and working with community groups. Now, Matthew Spoors is ready to build on that momentum.
If elected, Matthew will address Newark’s infrastructure issues by fixing potholes, improving public transport and supporting active travel. He’ll defend financial support for vulnerable residents and work with farmers to keep local businesses viable. Committed to preserving community services like libraries and Sure Start Centres, Matthew envisions a Newark that prioritises people over profit. From a working-class background, he advocates for redistributing wealth from the top 1% to create a fairer system for all.
“I’ve worked year-round at district and town levels, securing wins for Newark—funding for businesses, protecting green spaces, and pushing for better services. Unlike the Conservatives, tied to party politics, I have the freedom to put Newark first. They’ve had years to improve our roads, transport and services—yet little has changed. I’ll speak up, challenge poor decisions, and fight for real change” said Matthew Spoors.
He added, “I left Labour on principle because people should come before party politics. I’ll always stand with this community and work for a greener, fairer Newark. Only the Greens can truly represent local people here.”